Heard a report on BBC radio this morning that all foreign trucks using British roads are to be charged up to £1000 a year. This the government say will level the playing field and give support to British truckers who have to pay even more to use continental roads. Obviously there are tolls on the continental roads..but I dont know if there are any further charges on top of the tolls. Up to now continental trucking use our roads for free.
There was often talk on the forum over the years that a local tax on trucks moving through the port would be good for Dover..a tax on said trucks going into local coffers, but local taxes like that were never on the cards..just imagine it for a moment, twould lead to chaos if others retaliated in like.
It would be useful if any members who are truckers could give us their tuppenceworth on this one. Is it a good idea? But what if people everywhere were to introduce a charge like this across Europe wouldnt it cripple the business..or at the very least ensure that all goods travelling by road (everything!?) would cost much more at the consumer end. In other words we would all end up paying. You and me..
Is this really levelling the playing field or just another way for the government to raise money?